January 18 - The Power of Faith

Join us this evening @ 7 for a time of worship and prayer at the church.

SCRIPTURE

• Hebrews 11:11-12  By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised; therefore, also, there was born of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

OBSERVATION

Faith is powerful. Faith sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, touches the intangible, and accomplishes the impossible. Unfortunately, some faith is all talk and never really gets down to action. True faith is active, powerfully active.

Faith was active in the miracle of Isaac's birth. From the human standpoint, it was impossible for Abraham and Sarah to have a child. Not only had Sarah always been barren (Gen. 16:1), but by the time she was 90 years of age she was far beyond the proper time of life for childbearing. Yet at that age she conceived and gave birth to the promised son (Gen. 21:2).

If we study Hebrews 11:11 carefully, I believe we discover that the faith mentioned here does not apply to Sarah but rather for her. Received ability to conceive means literally "to lay down seed." A woman, however, does not lay down the seed that produce conception. This phrase, therefore, must refer to Abraham, making him the understood subject of the sentence. In other words, the verse could be saying that Abraham, in association with Sarah, received power to lay down seed. I believe the faith was Abraham's, not Sarah's. Through Abraham's faith God miraculously fulfilled His promise.

• • Therefore, also, there was born of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants as the stars of heaven in number, and innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. (11:12)

Abraham had children upon children, the whole of the people of Israel. Every Jew that ever has been and ever will be born is a result of Abraham's faith. Such is the power of faith.

Abraham's faith was in God. God's promise of a special son and of innumerable descendants was the basis of Abraham's faith.

• • Jesus said, "All things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23), and
• • "With God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26).

God's power and will are on one side and man's trust is on the other. Whatever we know to be God's will, faith has the power to accomplish.

If God is unable to meet any of our needs, it is simply because we do not entrust them to Him. He gives us many things for which we never ask and of which we are often unaware. But many other things, especially spiritual blessings He has promised, we cannot receive because we are not open to them.

Paul claimed, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13), and he reminds us of "Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us" (Eph. 3:20). God's power is for us to claim according to His will. That the things claimed seem impossible has no bearing on the matter. The only hindrance to fulfillment is lack of faith.

UNDERSTANDING

What is God saying to me?

Sarah was beyond childbearing AND known to be barren.  She had most likely gone through “the change.”  It is no wonder that she laughed when the angel of the Lord said that she would have a child by that time next year – it was impossible.  But we have a decision to make in light of these circumstances – we must give answer to the question the angel of the Lord posed to Abraham and Sarah, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” (Gen 18:14)

Well?  What is the answer, is anything too hard for the Lord if He says He will accomplish it? 

• Is provision too hard for the Lord?  Did He not say that He would meet all our needs?
• Is forgiveness too hard for the Lord?  Did He not say that as far as the east is from the west He would remove our transgressions from us?
• Is a life of peace too hard for the Lord?  Did He not say that He would give us peace in the middle of the storms of life?
• Is protection too hard for the Lord?
• Is salvation too hard for the Lord
• Is anything too hard for the Lord?

LIFE APPLICATION

What will I do about it?

For everything that God says there is a partnership on our part that is necessary.  I must believe and obey. 

God says that He will provide but He requires the step of faith that says I will give to Him first.  I will give freely, joyfully and expectantly.

God says that He will forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us.

God says that He will give us peace but we must chose to walk in that peace and under His protection.

God says that salvation is ours but we must accept the gift, believe in His Son and confess our sins.

Nothing is impossible with God if you believe. Matthew 21:21-22

What is your next step of faith you must take in order to partner with God in fulfilling His Word?

-Pastor Gary

 

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Supplemental reading – Psalm 42